Grand Canyon National Park reopens to tourists

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - The Grand Canyon is welcoming tourists back after Arizona struck a deal with the federal government to reopen the national park.

The park superintendent says crews began removing closure signs, opening restrooms and restocking at 4 a.m. Saturday. The first gate opened just before 6 a.m.

Arizona is paying the National Park Service $651,000 to keep the Grand Canyon open for seven days. The funding includes cash from the state Office of Tourism, the town of Tusayan, and private businesses.

Arizona, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota and New York have all agreed to a federal government plan allowing them to foot the bill.

Governors in other states are trying to gauge what would be the bigger economic hit - paying to keep the parks operating or losing the tourist money that flows when the scenic attractions are open.

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